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It takes a village

By Columbia Environmental Research Center

January 29, 2019

Dr. Barry Poulton, an Ecologist at the USGS describing the importance of the macroinvertebrate community
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Dr. Barry Poulton, an Ecologist at the USGS, Columbia Environment Research Center, describing the importance of the macroinvertebrate community of the Missouri River at a Big Muddy Speaker Series event sponsored by Missouri River Relief in October 2018.

While our schedules here at the Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project are often busy and a bit hectic, sometimes the opportunity presents itself for our scientists to share their knowledge and experiences with the community.  When Missouri River Relief, a local not-for-profit organization dedicated to Missouri River stewardship, offers such opportunities, we really try to accommodate as we know an attentive, appreciative audience and a worthwhile cause await us.  While getting to share our work is its own reward, we were humbled and immensely grateful when Missouri River Relief named us their 2018 Partners of the Year.

The award reads:

“Partnerships are key to building an organization that reaches and includes a wide variety of individuals and organizations. When partners jump on board, they bring all of their strengths and resources. If you look at all the projects that Missouri River Relief does each year, none of those would be possible without the dedication, generosity and shared passion of our partners. Our Annual "Partner of the Year Award" honors those partners that share our mission and selflessly give of themselves to make our projects a success.

In the many years this recipient has been a partner, they have shared their expertise and knowledge with Missouri River Relief as presenters, education program instructors, and consultants.

They have contributed greatly as presenters at the Big Muddy Speaker Series, always drawing a large audience with invigorating topics such as "Probing the depths of the Big Muddy: What does the bed of the Missouri River look like?"

They have provided students with an up-close look at their research as instructors during Missouri River All Stars After-School Program and Missouri River Days, a program that takes out the entire 4th grade.

They have provided guidance and support in the development of our Missouri River Information packets, which has been downloaded 1,200 times.

We could not be more grateful for this partnership, they have served as a "compass" to guide us in furthering our knowledge of the Missouri River through their research efforts.”

Carrie Elliott, a hydrologist at the USGS, Columbia Environment Research Center teaches fourth grade elementary school children
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Carrie Elliott, a hydrologist at the USGS, Columbia Environment Research Center teaches fourth grade elementary school children during Missouri River Days about how scientists use hydroacoustic technology onboard USGS research vessels to map the Missouri River and measure habitats where fishes live.

We here at the CSRP would like to thank Missouri River Relief for this great honor and send congratulations to Robert Jacobson, Ph.D., Carrie Elliott, Duane Chapman, Aaron DeLonay, Sabrina Davenport, Dave Combs, and all those working behind the scenes for their work in spreading science and helping preserve the Big Muddy.